Great British Bake Off

What are we going to do without all that oozing unctuousness, sticky sweetness and gloops of ganache, not to mention good old Mary and poseur Paul, all held together by thick layers of Mel and Sue's astringent sauciness. I dread to think, reaching for another pack of chocolate fingers...

I think that layered cake would have been greatly improved by soaking it with an alcoholic syrup.

Watched Extra Slice on iPlayer last night and they tried a piece of that layer cake. It was unanimously agreed to be dry and boring. Not surprising really.

I couldn't see the point of that grilled 20 layer cake. A lot of trouble to go to for something which is just sponge.

I've had a piece of one of those cakes. I wouldn't bother again. Fairly sure Richard will win but they are all so good. It really is very difficult to choose this year.

That grilled cake [with 20 layers] looked like a killer to make.

I have made filo too shysal but the bought is so good that I wouldn't bother now. I also learned to bone poultry, prepare fish and make consommé from scratch, clarifying with egg whites, etc. The Cordon Bleu course I took taught me so much about the basics and the chemistry of why things cook in a particular way but everything is so much simpler these days and, mostly, I like it that way.

(I still have the text book with all the recipes in - no pictures!)

I noticed them, Ana! Looked as though they could do with a good clean at least.

I was sorry for Chetna, whom I found to be a very honest - about herself-person.

I agree that Richard will probably win, although I'd like one of the others to!

On a flippant note, I'm wondering whether, if does win, they'll persuade him to have his teeth whitened for all the publicity shots...

I`m sorry Chetna lost out last night but it was the right decision I too think she was very nervous. I think Richard must be the front runner but Nancy could nip in and take it I love her attitude and although Luis` bakes always look amazing the taste is not always so good.

I hoped that Luis would be star baker last night. Richard was his usual precise self, but Luis showed a lot of flair.

I agree about Paul Hollywood not liking Luis. Richard has been star baker too many times and the winner is usually the one you don't expect to win so that's......Nancy.

I'd like Luis to win but I think these things are fixed.

Bravo, Shysal! I buy it, and flaky pastry, too. Always make my own shortcrust, though.

shysal Do you stuff mushrooms as well. I admire you for trying but I just buy a pack in the supermarket.

Am I the only person who has actually made filo pastry? When I was much younger I enjoyed trying different techniques, just for fun! I miss having the family at home to bake for.

Agree with you both that it was the right decision. Have to agree with all of them that they will probably never make filo again. .

I think it all depends on individual strengths next week but Richard has to be favourite. Cooking is about flair, baking needs flair but it's based on accuracy and he has that in spades.

I agree with both your comments Shysal. Sadly I think Chetna was super nervous last night. Richard does look like a favourite, but they are all so talented. May be wrong, but I get the feeling Paul doesn't like Luis, the way he didn't like Brendan a couple of years ago. Heck it's a cookery competition, not a soap opera, what am I saying?

I think the right person went home last night. If he stays true to form Richard could win next week, but the result of the Final is often a surprise. Any predictions?

Whoops . Should have said that was an answer to shysal about Claire! I forgot to go to the end for the recent comments.

These are the same people who gossip at work about people they don't really know or will happily tell you they "hate" a celebrity. It's mindlessness really but sadly, as they are not saying it in front of people they know - there is always the cloak of anonymity on most forums, twitter, etc. - they get a feeling of power from being more outrageous than if they were known.

I loved the story about a nasty young man who got his comeuppance when attacking Mary Beard. Someone recognised who he was and said they could put Mary in touch with his Mum. He shrank, grovelled and apologised. Lovely.

'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue' is smutty schoolboy humour, but it is harmless and I love it! The same applies to Mel and Sue for me.

Paul seems to be more bumptious when the recipe used is one of his, he lets Mary get in the odd word when judging her own! Mary is working so hard these days, I also worry that she will do too much. I have seen her at a dancing show of the group my GD used to belong to . Mary's GD(?s) were also in it, she was humble and sweet, wanting the attention to be on the children.

He is very much the alpha-male, our Paul isn't he? I hate to say it, but I think Mary is beginning to show her years. Maybe she should be thinking of retiring whilst she is still at the top?

I find Mel and Sue amusing but a bit like smutty teenagers - best ignored at times!

I love Mel and Sue too and , innocent that I am, I never notice any innuendo

Too much inuendo (what a wonderful word!), they're now saying. Are they right? All pretty harmless and good-natured I think, and its the food that wins, after all.

Jingle so glad to meet someone else who tried Angel cake mine I have to say turned out well - I was going to say a showstopper but that would sound very pretentious. It rose to a magnificent height and was very spring sprongy if you know what I mean. It is about 40 years ago I made it so my memories may be rose tinted. However a friend recently talked about it so maybe it was that good. Apparently the same friend always knew when I was pregnant as I used to start icing my cakes very elaborately and I have a clear memory of being in my kitchen with her and the cake was there in all its glory and she uttered the immortal words "you`re preggers" and I hadn`t told anyone yet. Just a little aside. Paul is becoming a bit or an irritant and wasn`t keen on Mary`s jacket either. Do love Mel and Sue just having a